Posted 2/22/2020 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Moderately elevated PSA (4.3) detected in 2016 in regular physical exam. I was not consulted before he ran it and wish he didn't. Three biopsies, 2 MRIs (one fusion with biopsy), genetic testing, etc confirm G7 (3+4) less than 5% G4.
Focal HIFU treatment by Dr Hashim Ahmed at Bupa Cromwell hospital in London in 2017. Basically used the MRIs and biopsies to map the location of only the G4 lesion. The margins were wide and so even though the G4 tumor was quite small they effectively destroyed 35% of my prostate from the inside with high intensity ultrasound.
No side effects either ED or incontinence. Qaurterly PSA and annual MRI follow ups. All normal.
The upside is I have treated this for now and I have no side effects. The downsides are 1) most of the urological community are very negative on the path and treatment I have chosen and so finding like minded physicians has been time consuming and expensive. 2) you live with more ambiguity. My PSA ranges between 1.8 and 2.6 which is normal because I still have a prostate and a G6 tumor. But still you don't have the certainty of 0.00.
But generally I think there is a lot of uncertainty in life. Every doctor (9) told me any treatment will cure me and that Pca will not be what kills me. So I try to keep it all in perspective. I treated something that had a very low probability of killing me and I still have to monitor it as if I was on AS.